Boeing confirmed earlier it will increase the production rate for its Next-Generation 737 to 42 airplanes per month.

Once implemented in the first half of 2014, the 737 program expects to build on average two 737s each workday and nearly 500 airplanes each year.

Boeing Commercial Airplanes president, Jim Albaugh, said the market outlook for single-aisle jetliners is strong and growing.

“Customers are demanding our Next-Generation 737 at an unprecedented rate,” he explained.

“New performance improvements and enhanced passenger comfort features have driven home the value equation for our customers.”

Boeing 737 program vice president, Beverly Wyse, went on to add the goal with the rate increase is to continue meeting customer demand with an innovative airplane that provides strong performance and value.

“We have worked very closely with our supply chain and our world-class manufacturing team to ensure we can increase rate in an efficient and responsible fashion,” Wyse said.

“We believe many of the capital investments and production system changes made for 38 airplanes per month will already position us to build 42.

“We are very well situated for this rate increase.”

The 737 program currently produces 31.5 airplanes per month and expects to go to 35 per month in early 2012, 38 per month in second quarter 2013, and then to 42 per month in the first half of 2014.

The rate increase announced today is not expected to have a material impact on 2011 financial results.